The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-10-25

NlIn IL WIFI d ST. H
Zone day Earl said to me:
"Uncle Tommy, how do you like
Bess?'
mighty well, Earl l replied; Miss
Bush is what I call a first-class little
woman
Earl was silent fora moment. Then
he said:
"Tm glad to hear you say so. Uncle
Tommy. Well, Bess and | are going
to get married next Sunday week
Earl always called her 'Bess' for
short.
Ills that SOP answered /, feigning
surprise. Il expected as much. Earl.
but thought it would be too inquisi-
tive TO ask you
".I should have told you" he an
swered, but / thought it best to keep
it secret, at least until now. L want
you to be at the wedding. 1t will take
place at her fathers house.
This conversation took place on
Wednesday, L believe. When we
stopped for supper again it was on Fri
day. 1t took us two days TO make the
round trip. as We were on the mixed
freight, and you know they generally
take their time.
"When we walked into the hotel Of
flee Bessie introduced stranger To
Earl and myself, aS Mr.. Eubanks. |
did not think any thing about it much,
but L noticed dark scowl came over
Earl's handsome face.
ut looked as though Bessie was
rather attentive to the stranger and
was less so to Earl, but thought that
was only natural. as he was stranger
and Earl an old acquaintance. 1t was
one of old Bush's hobbies to make
every stranger feel at home while at
his house. Probably this was more to
gain custom than any thing else; l
don't know. However, Earl ate his
supper i'm silence. and was off again to
his engine before was half through. |
left the stranger and Bess in the Office
together, chatting very pleasantly.
"'Do you know Mr.. Eubanks, Tom"
asked Earl when got to the engine,
putting a great deal Of stress on the
Mr.. part of his question.
81 do not replied. 'Why?'
Nothing he replied.
1--WE made the balance of the run in
silence. 1 don't think Earl spoke
word. | could tell though he was
writhing in the agonies of jealousy.
II don't think Earl and Bess spoke
the next trip, nor the next. nor the
next The stranger was still at the
Bush house. L knew from the turn
affairs had taken. or were taking, that
Earl and Bessie's wedding was off
Although he had never told me as
much, knew that it couldn't be other
wise.
THE next trip we made was Earl's
wedding night. He had on his over
alls, and was unusually solemn and
morose, not speaking to or even look
ing at me during the run of fifty miles.
was On the point once or twice of ask
ing him if this was not his wedding
night. but did not. knowing too well
that it was either indefinitely post
poned or off forever.
when we stepped into the office
that night old Bush met us at the door.
"'Fife minute too late, poysr he ex-
claimed, graspiug both our hands at
the same time.
why? Is supper oyer?' asked.
"'No, no; plenty NV supper. he re-
piled, still holding our hands. 'EKtrie
supply NV supper. Der veddin'! der
veddin' watts shust happenr
"'The wedding3' asked Earl and L,
, in a breath. Who's marriede'
why, mine Bess and Mr.. Eubanks,
Nv course. Dey takes der bridal trip
+, terectly.'
Earl fell back i'm dismay. Poor fell
low! | had felt all day as though l
knew this would happen.
"'Bess married. he gasped, looking
, hand
/ Yes, answered the seemingly jubi-
I liant German, 'und dey leaf on your
train ternighd.
"'Ahr answered Earl, as he strobe
i back to his engine. Tender her my
congratulations
: That WAS all he said.
What had he resolved upon"
Il went in TO supper, feeling abou,
as badly as Earl, imagined, for was
really sorry for him. There were the
bride and groom. looking as happy as a
couple could look.
! Where is Mr. Wendall, Uncle Tom
my?' asked Bess, a | walked in.
( What should | say?
: "'He's not coming To supper TO
night. replied; 'he is notfeeling well.
I'm sorry was her comforting re-
ply.
IL congratulated them, as under the
n IL Il